Portable pull-up apparatus

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a portable pull-up apparatus are provided. In some implementations, the portable pull-up apparatus comprises a first arm and a second arm connected at a pivot point. In some implementations, the portable pull-up apparatus further comprises an attachment device connected to the first arm and the second to attach a gripping device. In some implementations, the portable pull-up apparatus further comprises a first elongated portion and second elongated portion rotatably attached to the first arm and the second arm, respectively. to securely hold the portable pull-up device above a door frame. In some implementations, the angle between the first arm and the second arm at the pivot point is greater than 90 degrees when the portable pull-up apparatus is in the fully closed position. In some implementations, the attachment device is a chain and a gripping object can be attached to the chain using a hook.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a portable pull upapparatus.

BACKGROUND

A pull-up is an exercise designed to work the upper-body (e.g., trunk,shoulders, arms, backs, abdominal muscles, pelvic floor, hands, andforearms.) To perform the exercise, a person must suspend his/her bodyby holding his/her arms onto an object and then must pull his/her bodyupward.

There exists equipment to assist a person to perform a pull-up. Forexample, U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No. 2013/0165298 discloses an exercisedevice adapted for installation on a door frame or stand that includes apair of clamping members having an elongated body extending between afirst end and a second end and an arcuate portion extending from thesecond end and terminating at a free articulating end.

The '298 application further discloses that the clamping members arepivotally connected at a first pivot point provided between the firstand second ends where a pair of gripping members is disposed on the freearticulating end of the arcuate portion of the clamping members.

The '298 application also discloses that a pair of links is providedwhere each link is pivotally connected to one of the clamping members ata second pivot point. The pair of links is pivotally connected to eachother at a third pivot point. An elastic member extends between thesecond pivot of the clamping members.

The exercise device of the '298 application further includes a hookconnected to the pair of links at a third pivot point for supporting astretching or strengthening device.

The '298 application discloses that the clamping members are movablebetween a first position where the gripping members are urged toward oneanother and a second position where the gripping members are separatedfrom one another.

To perform a pull-up, the '298 application discloses installing two ofthe above-described exercise devices on a doorway by spreading apartfirst ends of clamping members of each exercise device. When eachexercise device is positioned at a desired location above the doorway,the user releases the first ends such that gripping portions are urgedtoward each other. A stretching or strengthening device then isconnected to the hook on each exercise device. By placing a verticalload in a downward direction on the hook via the stretching orstrengthening device, the links cause the first ends of the clampingmembers to be urged closer together, thereby increasing the force thatthe gripping members exert on the wall to prevent the exercise devicesfrom sliding from the wall surface.

The '298 application discloses that the angle between the clampingmembers in an installed configuration at the first pivot point issubstantially a right angle.

The '298 application comprises numerous shortcomings. Among otherthings, the '298 application is relatively complex. As discussed above,the exercise device disclosed in the '298 application comprises threepivot points where an elastic member extends between the second pivot ofthe clamping members, a pair of links are connected to each other at athird pivot point, and a hook is connected to the pair of links at athird pivot point for supporting a stretching or strengthening device.

Furthermore, the angle between the clamping members in an installedconfiguration at the first pivot point is substantially a right angle,which produces relatively inefficient force that the gripping membersexert on the wall and makes the exercise device relatively large.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example front and back, respectively, of aportable pull-up apparatus according to an implementation of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of portable pull-upapparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an implementation of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates example gripping objects that may be used with theportable pull-up apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to animplementation of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an example use of a portable pull-up apparatusaccording to the present disclosure to assist a person to perform apull-up.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a portable pull-up apparatus are provided. In someimplementations, the portable pull-up apparatus comprises a first armhaving a first end and a second end wherein the first arm comprises acurved portion having a first end and a second end and a straightportion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end ofthe straight portion extends from the second end of the curved portion.

In some implementations, the portable pull-up apparatus furthercomprises a second arm having a first end and a second end wherein thesecond arm comprises a curved portion having a first end and a secondend and a straight portion having a first end and a second end, whereinthe first end of the straight portion of the second arm extends from thesecond end of the curved portion of the second arm.

In some implementations, the portable pull-up apparatus furthercomprises an attachment device having a first end and a second endwherein the first end of the attachment device is connected to the firstarm at a first attachment point adjacent to the second end of the firstarm and wherein the second end of the attachment device is connected tothe second arm at a second attachment point adjacent to the second endof the second arm.

In some implementations, the portable pull-up apparatus furthercomprises a first elongated portion attached to the first end of thefirst arm and a second elongated portion attached to the first end ofthe second arm.

In some implementations, the first end and the second end of the curvedportion of the first arm extends toward the first end and the secondend, respectively, of the curved portion of the second arm.

In some implementations, the straight portion of the first arm extendsfrom the curved portion of the first arm towards the straight portion ofthe second arm and the straight portion of the second arm extends fromthe curved portion of the second arm towards the straight portion of thefist arm until the straight portions of the first arm and second armconnect at a pivot point.

In some implementations, the straight portion of the first arm extendsfrom the pivot point away from the straight portion of the second armand the straight portion of the second arm extends from the pivot pointaway from the straight portion of the fist arm.

In some implementations, the angle between the first arm and the secondarm at the pivot point is greater than 90 degrees when the portablepull-up apparatus is in the fully closed position. In this way, theportable pull-up apparatus is relatively compact and closer to the doorframe when installed which thereby provides more leverage.

In some implementations, the first elongated portion and secondelongated portion are rotatably attached to the first end of the firstarm and the first end of the second arm. In this way, the portablepull-up devices can be more compactly stored, for example, in luggage.

In some implementations, the attachment device is a chain and a grippingobject can be attached to the chain using a hook. In this way, theportable pull-up device can be easily assembled and disassembled.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example front and back, respectively, of aportable pull-up apparatus 100 according to an implementation of thepresent disclosure.

In some implementations, the portable pull-up apparatus 100 comprises afirst arm 106 having a first end 106 a and a second end 106 b, a secondarm 108 having a first end 108 a and a second end 108 b, an attachmentdevice 112 having a first end 112 a and a second end 112 b, a firstelongated portion 104 attached to the first end 106 a of the first arm106, and a second elongated portion 105 attached to the first end 108 aof the second arm 108.

In some implementations, the first arm 106 comprises a curved portion106 c having a first end 106 c 1 and a second end 106 c 2 and a straightportion 106 d having a first end 106 d 1 and a second end 106 d 2wherein the first end 106 d 1 extends from the second end 106 c 2 of thecurved portion 106 c.

Similarly, the second arm 108 comprises a curved portion 108 c having afirst end 108 c 1 and a second end 108 c 2 and a straight portion 108 dhaving a first end 108 d 1 and a second end 106 d 2 wherein the firstend 108 d 1 extends from the second end 108 c 2 of the curved portion108 c.

In some implementations, the first end 106 c 1 and the second end 106 c2 of the curved portion 106 c of the first arm 106 extends toward thefirst end 108 c 1 and the second end 108 c 2, respectively, of thecurved portion 108 c of the second arm 108.

In some implementations, the straight portion 106 d of the first arm 106extends from the curved portion 106 c towards the straight portion 108 dof the second arm 108 and the straight portion 108 d of the second arm108 extends from the curved portion 1068 towards the straight portion106 d of the fist arm 108 until the straight portions 106 d, 108 dconnect at a pivot point 110.

In some implementations, the straight portion 106 d of the first arm 106extends from the pivot point 110 away from the straight portion 108 d ofthe second arm 108 and the straight portion 108 d of the second arm 108extends from the pivot point 110 away from the straight portion 106 d ofthe fist arm 108.

In some implementations, the first arm 106 and the second arm 108 definean opening 107 between the first arm 106 and the second arm.

In some implementations, the pivot point 110 comprises an openingextending through the first arm 106 and the second arm 108 and having afirst connector extending through the opening. In some implementations,the first connector comprises a bolt extending through the opening. Insome implementations, the first connector further comprises a nut. Insome implementations, the first connector may be any type of connector.

In some implementations, the first end 112 a of the attachment device112 is connected to the first arm 106 at a first attachment point 112 cadjacent to the second end 106 b of the first arm 106. In someimplementations, the second end 112 b of the attachment device 112 isconnected to the second arm 108 at a second attachment point 112 dadjacent to the second end 108 b of the second arm 106.

In some implementations, the first attachment point 112 c comprises anopening extending through the first arm 106 and a second connectorextending through the opening and the first end 112 a of the attachmentdevice 112. In some implementations, the second connector comprises abolt extending though the opening and the first end 112 a of theattachment device 112. In some implementations, the second connectorfurther comprise a nut and, in some implementations, a washer. In someimplementation, the first end 112 a of the attachment device 112 may beconnected to the first arm 106 by extending a bolt through the openingand a link of the chain and securing the chain using a washer and nut.In some implementations, the connector may be any suitable connector.

Similarly, the second attachment point 112 d comprises an openingextending through the second arm 108 and a third connector extendingthrough the opening and the second end 112 b of the attachment device112. In some implementations, the third connector is the same as thesecond connector.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of portable pull-upapparatus 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an implementation of thepresent disclosure. More specifically, in some implementations, thefirst elongated portion 104 and second elongated portion 105 arerotatably attached to the first end 106 a of the first arm 106 and thefirst end 108 a of the second arm 108, respectively.

In some implementations, the portable pull-up apparatus 100 isconfigured so that the first elongated portion 104 and second elongatedportion 105 extend in a horizontal (FIGS. 1 and 2) or vertical direction(FIG. 3). In this way, the first elongated portion 104 and secondelongated portion 105 can be rotated to the vertical position to storethe portable pull-up apparatus 100 when it is not in use.

In some implementations, the first elongated portion 104 comprises afirst side 104 a attached to the first end 106 a of the first arm 106and a second side 104 b opposite the first side. In someimplementations, the second side 104 b of the first elongated portion104 includes a padded surface.

Similarly, in some implementations, the second elongated portion 105comprises a first side 105 a attached to the first end 108 a of thesecond arm 108 and a second side 105 b opposite the first side 105 a. Insome implementations, the second side 105 b of the second elongatedportion 105 includes a padded surface.

In some implementations, the padding of the first elongated portion 104and second elongated portion 105 comprises foam. In someimplementations, the padding comprises any suitable material to protecta wall in contact with the first elongated portion 104.

In some implementations, the second side 104 b of the first elongatedportion 104 and the second side 105 b of the second elongated portion105 are flat.

In some implementations, each of the first elongated portion 104 andsecond elongated portion 105 is 8.5 inches. In some implementations,each of the first elongated portion 104 and second elongated portion 105is longer than 8.5 inches. In some implementations, each of the firstelongated portion 104 and second elongated portion 105 is shorter than8.5 inches.

FIG. 4 illustrates example gripping objects 114, 414 that may be usedwith the portable pull-up apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to animplementation of the present disclosure.

In some implementations, a gripping object may comprise an attachmentportion (e.g., attachment portion 414 a) and an object 414 b secured tothe attachment portion 414 a. The attachment portion 414 a is configuredto attach to the attachment device 112.

The attachment portion 414 a can be any type of device. The grippingobject 414 b can be any object and made from any material such as wood,rope, plastic, or any suitable material. The gripping object 414 b canbe any shape such as elongated, round, knotted, ring, irregular, or anyother suitable shape.

In some implementations, the gripping objects are attached to theattachment device 112 using the openings in the attachment device 112.In some implementations, the attachment device 112 is a chain and theattachment portion 414 a of the gripping object is a hook. In this way,a gripping object is attached to the attachment device 112 by insertingthe hook in a link of the chain as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Furthermore, inthis way, the portable pull-up apparatus can be easily disassembled.

In operation, when force is applied to the attachment device 112, thefirst arm 106 and the second arm 108 move towards each other therebydecreasing the opening 107 between the first arm 106 and the second arm108.

The first arm 106 and the second arm 108 also can move away from eachother. In some implementations, the length of the attachment device 112can limit the amount of movement of the first arm 106 and the second arm108.

In some implementations, the length of the attachment device 112 isconfigured such that the maximum distance between the second side 104 bof the first elongated portion 104 and the second side 105 b of thesecond elongated portion 105 is 4.75 inches. In some implementations,the length of the attachment device 112 is configured such that themaximum distance between the second side 104 b of the first elongatedportion 104 and the second side 105 b of the second elongated portion105 is less than 4.75 inches. In some implementations, the length of theattachment device 112 is configured such that the maximum distancebetween the second side 104 b of the first elongated portion 104 and thesecond side 105 b of the second elongated portion 105 is greater than4.75 inches.

In some implementations, when the attachment device 112 is fullyextended, the portable pull-up apparatus is in the fully openedposition.

In some implementations, when the first arm 106 and second arm 108 canno longer move toward each other, the portable pull-up apparatus is inthe fully closed position.

In some implementations, the angle between the first arm 106 and thesecond arm 108 at the pivot point 110 in the fully closed position isgreater than 90 degrees. In some implementations, the angle between thefirst arm 106 and the second arm 108 at the pivot point 110 in the fullyclosed position is between 90 and 135 degrees. In some implementations,the angle between the first arm 106 and the second arm 108 at the pivotpoint 110 in the fully closed position is greater than 135 degrees.

In some implementations, the first arm 106 and second arm 108 are madefrom plastic. In some implementations, the first arm 106 and second arm108 are made from metal. In some implementations, the first arm 106 andsecond arm 108 are made from any suitable material.

In some implementations, the first elongated portion 104 and secondelongated portion 105 are made from plastic or any suitable material.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an example use of a portable pull-up apparatusaccording to the present disclosure to assist a person to perform apull-up. To use a portable pull-up apparatus according to the presentdisclosure to assist a person to perform a pull-up, in someimplementations, two portable pull-up apparatus are spaced apart on adoor frame 516, 616.

To place a portable pull-up apparatus on a door frame, the first arm 106and the second arm 108 are spaced apart to receive a portion of a doorframe in the opening 107 between the first arm 106 and the second arm108.

In some implementations, a gripping object may be attached to theattachment device 112.

In some implementations, a downward force is applied to the grippingobject thereby applying a force to the attachment device 112 and causingthe first arm 106 and the second arm 108 to move towards each otheruntil the first elongated portion 104 and second elongated portion 105securely engage a portion of a wall above the door frame. In this way,as shown in FIG. 6, a person may perform pull-ups using of a portablepull-up apparatus according to the present disclosure.

In some implementations, one portable pull-up apparatus according to thepresent disclosure can be used to assist a person to perform a pull-up.

In some implementations, to store a portable pull-up apparatus accordingto the present disclosure, the first elongated portion 104 and thesecond elongated portion 105 are positioned in a vertical position.

In some implementations, a gripping object is detached from theattachment device. In some implementations, the gripping object isdetached by removing a hook having an opening from a chain link.

In some implementations, the first arm 106 and the second arm 108 aremoved towards each other until the portable pull-up apparatus is in afully closed position.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or“implementation” or words of similar import means that a particulardescribed feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at leastone embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in anembodiment”, “in some implementations”, or a phrase of similar import invarious places throughout this specification does not necessarily referto the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combinedin any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the abovedescription, numerous specific details are provided for a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown ordescribed in detail.

1. A portable pull-up apparatus comprising a first arm having a firstend and a second end wherein the first arm comprises a curved portionhaving a first end and a second end and a straight portion having afirst end and a second end, wherein the first end of the straightportion extends from the second end of the curved portion; a second armhaving a first end and a second end wherein the second arm comprises acurved portion having a first end and a second end and a straightportion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end ofthe straight portion of the second arm extends from the second end ofthe curved portion of the second arm; an attachment device having afirst end and a second end wherein the first end of the attachmentdevice is connected to the first arm at a first attachment pointadjacent to the second end of the first arm and wherein the second endof the attachment device is connected to the second arm at a secondattachment point adjacent to the second end of the second arm; a firstelongated portion attached to the first end of the first arm; and asecond elongated portion attached to the first end of the second arm,wherein the first end and the second end of the curved portion of thefirst arm extends toward the first end and the second end, respectively,of the curved portion of the second arm; wherein the straight portion ofthe first arm extends from the curved portion of the first arm towardsthe straight portion of the second arm and wherein the straight portionof the second arm extends from the curved portion of the second armtowards the straight portion of the fist arm until the straight portionsof the first arm and second arm connect at a pivot point; wherein thestraight portion of the first arm extends from the pivot point away fromthe straight portion of the second arm and wherein the straight portionof the second arm extends from the pivot point away from the straightportion of the fist arm; and wherein the angle between the first arm andthe second arm at the pivot point is greater than 90 degrees when theportable pull-up apparatus is in the fully closed position.
 2. Theportable pull-up apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first elongatedportion and second elongated portion are rotatably attached to the firstend of the first arm and the first end of the second arm, respectivelysuch that the first elongated portion and the second elongated portioncan extend in a horizontal and vertical direction when rotated.
 3. Theportable pull-up apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first elongatedportion comprises a first side attached to the first end of the firstarm and a second side opposite the first side wherein the second side ofthe first elongated portion includes a padded surface and wherein thesecond elongated portion comprises a first side attached to the firstend of the second arm and a second side opposite the first side whereinthe second side of the second elongated portion includes a paddedsurface.
 4. The portable pull-up apparatus of claim 1 further comprisinga gripping object having an attachment portion and an object secured tothe attachment portion wherein the attachment portion is configured toattach to the attachment device, wherein the attachment device is achain and the attachment portion of the gripping object is a hook. 5.The portable pull-up apparatus of claim 1 wherein the angle between thefirst arm and the second arm at the pivot point is greater than 90degrees and no more than 135 degrees when the portable pull-up apparatusis in the fully closed position.
 6. The portable pull-up apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the angle between the first arm and the second arm atthe pivot point is greater than 135 degrees when the portable pull-upapparatus is in the fully closed position.
 7. A method of using theportable pull-up apparatus of claim 1, the method comprising: placingthe portable pull-up apparatus on a door frame by spacing apart thefirst arm and the second arm to receive a portion of a door frame in anopening between the first arm and the second arm; receiving a portion ofthe door frame in the opening between the first arm and the second armattaching a gripping object to the attachment device; and applying adownward force to the gripping object thereby applying a force to theattachment device and causing the first arm and the second arm to movetowards each other until the first elongated portion and the secondelongated portion securely engage a portion of a wall above the doorframe.
 8. A method of storing the portable pull-up apparatus of claim 2,the method comprising: positioning the first elongated portion and thesecond elongated portion in a vertical position; and moving the firstarm and the second arm towards each other until the portable pull-upapparatus is in a fully closed position.
 9. A portable pull-up apparatuscomprising a first arm having a first end and a second end wherein thefirst arm comprises a curved portion having a first end and a second endand a straight portion having a first end and a second end, wherein thefirst end of the straight portion extends from the second end of thecurved portion; a second arm having a first end and a second end whereinthe second arm comprises a curved portion having a first end and asecond end and a straight portion having a first end and a second end,wherein the first end of the straight portion of the second arm extendsfrom the second end of the curved portion of the second arm; anattachment device having a first end and a second end wherein the firstend of the attachment device is connected to the first arm at a firstattachment point adjacent to the second end of the first arm and whereinthe second end of the attachment device is connected to the second armat a second attachment point adjacent to the second end of the secondarm; a gripping object having an attachment portion and an objectsecured to the attachment portion wherein the attachment portion isconfigured to attach to the attachment device; a first elongated portionattached to the first end of the first arm; and a second elongatedportion attached to the first end of the second arm, wherein the firstend and the second end of the curved portion of the first arm extendstoward the first end and the second end, respectively, of the curvedportion of the second arm; wherein the straight portion of the first armextends from the curved portion of the first arm towards the straightportion of the second arm and wherein the straight portion of the secondarm extends from the curved portion of the second arm towards thestraight portion of the fist arm until the straight portions of thefirst arm and second arm connect at a pivot point; wherein the straightportion of the first arm extends from the pivot point away from thestraight portion of the second arm and wherein the straight portion ofthe second arm extends from the pivot point away from the straightportion of the first arm; wherein the first elongated portion and secondelongated portion are rotatably attached to the first end of the firstarm and the first end of the second arm, respectively such that thefirst elongated portion and the second elongated portion can extend in ahorizontal and vertical direction when rotated; and wherein theattachment device is a chain and the attachment portion of the grippingobject is a hook.
 10. The portable pull-up apparatus of claim 9 whereinthe angle between the first arm and the second arm at the pivot point isgreater than 90 degrees when the portable pull-up apparatus is in thefully closed position.
 11. The portable pull-up apparatus of claim 9wherein the angle between the first arm and the second arm at the pivotpoint is greater than 90 degrees and no more than 135 degrees when theportable pull-up apparatus is in the fully closed position.
 12. Theportable pull-up apparatus of claim 9 wherein the angle between thefirst arm and the second arm at the pivot point is greater than 135degrees when the portable pull-up apparatus is in the fully closedposition.
 13. A method of using the portable pull-up apparatus of claim9, the method comprising: placing the portable pull-up apparatus on adoor frame by spacing apart the first arm and the second arm to receivea portion of a door frame in an opening between the first arm and thesecond arm; receiving a portion of the door frame in the opening betweenthe first arm and the second arm attaching a gripping object to theattachment device; and applying a downward force to the gripping objectthereby applying a force to the attachment device and causing the firstarm and the second arm to move towards each other until the firstelongated portion and the second elongated portion securely engage aportion of a wall above the door frame.
 14. A method of storing theportable pull-up apparatus of claim 9, the method comprising:positioning the first elongated portion and the second elongated portionin a vertical position; and moving the first arm and the second armtowards each other until the portable pull-up apparatus is in a fullyclosed position.